Three presidential aides named
From left are Jun Byung-hun, senior presidential secretary for political affairs; Ha Seung-chang, senior secretary for social innovation; and Kim Su-hyun, senior secretary for social affairs.
By Kim Hyo-jin
President Moon Jae-in named three senior presidential secretaries, Sunday.
Jun Byung-hun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was tapped as a senior presidential secretary for political affairs.
Ha Seung-chang, former deputy Seoul mayor, was named as senior secretary for social innovation, a newly-created position, and Kim Su-hyun, ex-vice environment minister, as senior secretary for social affairs.
Jun, a 58-year-old former lawmaker, was a key campaigner for Moon in charge of election strategies during the presidential race.
Cheong Wa Dae said Jun, the party’s former floor leader, was viewed as fit for the job as he was experienced in negotiations with the opposition parties. He served as a presidential secretary for political affairs in the Kim Dae-jung government.
“The appointment of Jun is a show of Moon’s strong will for better communication and cooperation with political parties,” the presidential office said.
Ha, 54, played the role of devising pledges reflecting the voices of civic groups during the election campaign. He will take charge of communications with civic groups.
The former civic activist, used to work at the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) and served as deputy mayor for political affairs in the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Calling Ha a representative figure of civic society, Cheong Wa Dae said that he is expected to deliver the public voice in the grass-root movement.
Kim is a public policy professor at Sejong University. The 53-year-old served as a former presidential secretary for social policy for late President Roh Moo-hyun.
Cheong Wa Dae said Kim is expected to reflect the philosophy of the president well in devising social policies based on a trust-based relationship.